Edward Holden discovered NGC 5030, along with NGC 5031 and 5035, on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. He noted "vF, S. GC 3465 [NGC 5044] follows 1m 28s." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, bright core. A mag 13 star is 1.2' NW. Located 5.4' NW of mag 8.2 SAO 157805 (close double star with components 9.5/9.5 at 1.2"). Member of the NGC 5044 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb